Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'I·voire

(dē-vwär′) also I·vo·ry Coast(ī′və-rē, īv′rē)

A country of western Africa on the Gulf of Guinea. Divided into various isolated kingdoms at the time of European discovery in the 15th century, it was organized as a French colony in 1893, became a part of French West Africa in 1904, and declared its independence in 1960. Yamoussoukro is the capital and Abidjan is the largest city and de facto administrative center.

I·vo′ri·an(ī-vôr′ē-ən), I·voir′i·an(ē-vwär′ē-ən) adj. & n.

Côte d'Ivoire

(French kot divwar)

n

(Placename) a republic in West Africa, on the Gulf of Guinea: Portuguese trading for ivory and slaves began in the 16th century; made a French protectorate in 1842 and became independent in 1960; major producer of coffee and cocoa. Official language: French. Religion: Muslim majority, with animist, atheist, and Roman Catholic minorities. Currency: franc. Capital: Yamoussoukro (administrative); Abidjan (legislative). Pop: 22 400 835 (2013 est). Area: 319 820 sq km (123 483 sq miles). Former name (until 1986): the Ivory Coast

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